Details

Stocking Lane is a rectangular shaped moat, situated east of Bayford Village
at the foot of the garden of the Manor House. It is orientated north-east -
south-west and measures c.60m long by c.45m wide. The arms vary from c.8m to
c.13m in width. The north-west arm, which is partly infilled, has been
cleared in recent years. There is no evidence of a causeway. A small wooden
footbridge is situated on the north-west arm for access to the island. On the
north-east and south-east arms there is an external bank measuring between 5m
and 8m in width and c.0.5m in height. The island is thought to have been used
as a garden or orchard. The modern footbridge is excluded from the
scheduling.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.

Stocking Lane is a good example of a Hertfordshire moat which forms part of
the manorial garden. It is essentially undisturbed and also retains potential
for the recovery of organic remains in the waterlogged ditches.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
SMR No: 070250, Information from SMR,

Source: Historic England